Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes

Disney has come under fire recently for some big budget poorly received content (chiefly of the Star Wars franchise) which might lead to viewers overlooking some of their other stronger shows. High quality drama series such as this one and the other recent production covering the 1970s bombing campaign in London by the IRA, are gritty raw topics that explore a number of important issues. They demand their subjects be treated fairly and with a level of professionalism that they so richly deserve, and that is what we have here. It was inevitable that the highly controversial shooting of Brazilian national, Jean Charles de Menezes, by over zealous armed British Police Officers in the wake of the 7/7 bombings would one day be dramatised. It was one of the worst mistakes in the forces history, and a day of shame for the British Police. Worse still, as with Hillsborough before it, what followed was a cover up and a scramble by senior offices to distance themselves from the events. Told over four episodes, the drama covers the initial bombings, the attempt by the second cell to repeat the attacks again two weeks later, the events at Stockwell & the subsequent cover-up and chief whistleblower who blew the lid off the nonsense that would follow, and ultimately in the public inquiry of 2008. Writer Jeff Pope has tackled many similar topics before and is no stranger to this type of material, joined together with director Paul Andrew Williams, (paired previously on A Confession) make a formidable team to tell this story. Credit must also be given to Casting Directors Lean Harrison & Des Hamilton for assembling a top class range of talent from the cream of British character actors, and leads alike. Authentic performances are given from dependable veterans like Tony Simpson, Conleth Hill, Daniel Mays, Max Beezley along with some fresher faces including Jamie Chambers, Bert Seymour, Izuka Hoyle & James Nelson-Joyce (probably one of the most raw intense & talented actors of his generation) The actors cast in the roles of the second terrorist cell also give completely believable performances and have been cast with an incredible likeness to those they are portraying. All do an outstanding job. Emily Mortimer is appropriately emotionally removed from reality as Cressida Dick. Russell Tovey does a superb job anchoring the production as the Assistant Commissioner trying to get those around him to keep a grip on reality. I have to give full props to all involved, and I certainly hope the family of Jean Charles are pleased with this production to the degree that they can be under the dreadful circumstances. The events of that July were complex and difficult, in a city where those meant to protect us were functioning on at a high state of alert, under incredible stress, but poor leadership, where a number of terrible mistakes were made, which should have been immediately owned by the police. 17 witnesses saw Jean Charles get shot, 17 witnesses said no warning was given, he was basically shot dead without warning. Thankfully we do not live in the time of Hillsborough, but 10K (facts long in public domain) in compensation for a life so wrongly taken is, one must say, dreadfully insulting. The scenes portraying the family back home with the Bazilian cast are extremely well handled and it is a credit that they were given adequate screen time in the narrative. The production blends real footage, with the dramatisation extremely effectively in what is a first class drama. More content of this quality please. This show is a credit to every single person who worked on it. Highly recommended.

Summary: Extremely well made & poignant series on an important topic that must be seen.

Jean De Menezes, a 27-year-old Brazilian working as an electrician in London, boarded the tube at Stockwell station on the morning of 22 July 2005. Moments later, before the carriage doors could close, armed police sprinted on to the train and shot him seven times, point blank, in the head. De Menezes had been mistaken for a suicide bomber; he was entirely innocent of any crime.

This expertly researched, cast and produced 4 part series dissects the events leading up to the shooting, the shooting itself (horrific), and the subsequent attempt by some of the police and cronies to discredit and deflect from the truth of what was undeniably a horrendously flawed operation leading to a cold-blooded public execution.

Be prepared to shout at the telly a few times, and be heartbroken by his traumatized family's attempts to make sense of it and get justice for Jean.

Incredible acting, I binged watched it all in 24 hours. Cried lots, especially at the end. I was only aware of the spin that Jean Charles jumped the barrier and was acting suspiciously, don't recall hearing that it was untrue until watching the show. There is so much injustice around the whole situation, the fact they could even suggest for a second that the men looked alike was astounding. Would encourage everyone to watch this, if only to educate on the ineptitude of the police and how their main aim to protect and serve the 1%, not the rest of the country. Justice for Jean Charles DeMenezes.

I"m 9 months pregnant with my first child and my heart broke into a million pieces for Jean Charles's mother. What is an utterly senseless killing of her dear son is made way worse by public service employees who cannot take responsibility for making such a horrendous mistake.

They blame it on the victim. They share untrue stories with the media to smear his name. They do everything but look inward.

Things like this do NOT make us trust the police or government. Let's be real , Jean Charles could have been anyone, he coulld have been any civilian. The police is supposed to protect civilians not kill them and when they make such a horrible mistake, the only way forward was to admit the mistake and share how they would do better.

Instead they deflect and continue to lie while a mother who carried her child for 9 months, went through labour, spent 27 years raising him is left without a son.

I trust a public office that admits to getting things wrong not one that will go to the ends of the earth to cover up. Cressida Dick nA D Blair what's his face , I hope that poor boy's face haunts your dreams. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

As a born and raised Brit who remembers the 7/7 bombings like they were yesterday, I was shocked that my knowledge about this poor innocent man being killed at the hands of the Met Police was almost non existent. Through griping dialogue and flawless acting, this four part drama is a must watch for anyone who enjoys shows based on real events. Just be warned you may end up frustratingly screaming and shouting at the TV especially if stories of injustice are a trigger/upsetting subject for you. I hope that one day Jean Charles and his family and loved ones receive the justice and acknowledgement they deserve.